Refrigerator door latch mechanism



July 3, 1951 R, w, DOEG 2,559,068

REFRIGERATOR DOOR LATCH MECHANISM Filed June 14, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,f1-'fig'. l

Clau-ung July 3, 1951 R. w. Dol-:G

REFRIGERATOR DooR LATCH MECHANISM Filed June 14, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 3 195l R. w. DoEG REFRIGERTOR DOOR LATCH MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 14, 1947 3 Bam-JPM WS'VNTH v (D. j?? A WLM July 3, 1951 R. w. DOEG REFRIGERATOR DooR LATCH MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 14, 1947 Patented July 3, 1951 l REFRIGERATOR DOOR LATCH MECHANISM Ralph W. Docg, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Nash- Kelvinator Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation oi Maryland Application June 14, 1947, Serial No. 754,615

4 Claims.

This invention relates generally to refrigerator cabinets and more particularly to door latching mechanism therefor. y

It is an object of the present invention to provide for a refrigerator cabinet door an improved latch mechanism which when the door is closed exerts a substantially constant force tending to urge the refrigerator door further toward closed position to insure a tight seal.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved refrigerator door latch mechanism which is quiet in operation and responds easily to retraction when closing the door.

Another object of the invention is to provide a refrigerator door latch mechanism which has a positive latched position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved door latching mechanism of a character to prevent the door from being left slightly open.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view of a refrigerator cabinet and door having my improved latch mechanism with the parts thereof in the positions they assume just prior to closing of the door;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the refrigerator door closed and the latch mechanism parts in corresponding door latched positions;

Fig. 3 is an interior view in side elevation of the refrigerator door, showing the latch mechanism parts in unlatched positions corresponding to the positions of the latch mechanism parts of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation of the latch mechanism, shown removed from the cabinet;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the latch mechanism of Fig. 4;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of a latch striker and keeper member; and

Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional view of the cabinet door, showing the door latch operating handle.

In the drawings, the refrigerator cabinet shown includes an outer metal casing I0 having a front wall II to which is attached a trim plate I2 adjacent an access door opening. Supported by the trim plate I2 is an escutcheon I3 of angle shape which is attached to the cabinet trim plate I2 by screws I3. Mounted on the portion of the escutcheon I3 which extends at a right angle to the front wall II of the cabinet is a latch striker and keeper I4, having serrations I 5 which engage with serrations I5' on the escutcheon I3 to increase gripping relation therebetween and to provide for adjusting the position of the keeper. 'Ihe keeper I4 is provided with slots I6 through which screws I6' adjustably attach the keeper to the escutcheon. The keeper I4 extends outwardly or forwardly from the front wall I I of the casing having at its outer end a shoulder or projection I1. An inner face I8 of the keeper Il extends from the outer end of the keeper inwardly and toward the front wall I I of the casing or is inclined to the cabinet front wall to provide a cam-like, latch striker surface. This cam striker surface I8 terminates at a junction with a latc receivingfcam surface 2| on the keeper whicl is rounded convexly leading from a low surface at the inclined striker surface I8 to a high surface. 'I'he cam surface 2l is spaced inwardly of the .door to provide clearance 20 for the latch.

'I'he refrigerator door comprises an outer metal casing 22 of dish-like conformation having upwardly extending sides 23 which are flanged inwardly, as at 24, about the door. An inner marginal edge portion of the ange 2l is bent to extend downwardly and then inwardly to form a ledge 25 extending peripherally about the door. A door frame member 26 is secured to the door casing ledge 25 extending longitudinally therewith about the door outer casing 22 to reinforce the same.

Extending crosswise or transversely of the door casing 22 is a door reinforcing, channel-shaped member having a web 28 and having top and bottom flanges 29, 30. 'Ihe ends of the channel flanges 29, 30 are secured to the door frame 28 by screws 32 passing through the frame member 26 and through outwardly extending edge lugs 33 on the channel flanges 29, 30. A seal 35, preferably made of rubber is carried by the door and engages the front of the cabinet around the door edges to decrease heat leakage into the cabinet. This seal 35 may be secured to the door frame 26 by the screws 32 which secure the door casing and frame together or the seal may be attached to the door in any other suitable manner. A channel-shaped housing 36 comprising spaced, parallel sides 31 and 38 is mounted within the door reinforcing member 28, and is supported therein by means of ears 39 which extend outwardly from the edges of the housing sides 31 and 38. The ears 39 may be attached to inturned portions 34 of the channel anges 29 and 30 by screws 48. Projecting from the edges of each of the housing sides 31 and 3B are arms 42 which have their ends turned inwardly tward each other to form stops 43 for a latching member or bolt of a latch mechanism hereinafter described.

I'he latch member is preferably made of sheet metal comprising, a pair of spaced plates 44, 45 connected together adjacent corresponding ends thereof by a narrow .web 46 there being no obstructions between the plates 44 from the web to the opposite ends of the latch member plates 44, 45. The web 46 is preferably provided with an inwardly extending recess 41 which extendsparallel to the plates for a purpose to be hereinafter described. 'I'he ends of the plates 44, 45 opposite to the web 46 extend between adjacent ends of the sides 31, 38 of the housing 36 and slightly beyond the edges of these sides so that the inner edges of the plates 44, 45 can abut against the web 35 of the housing 36 to limit pivoting of the latch bolt in one direction. A pivot pin 49 passes through the ends of the housing sides 31 and 38 andthe ends of the plates 44 and 45 for pivotally supporting the latch bolt between the housing sides 31 and 38; The forward edge of the latch member plate 44 is provided with a projection 50 having an outwardly extending arc shaped flange I. Extending outwardly from the front edges of each of the latch member plates 44, 45

is an ear 53, whichv is bent inwardly and then,r

forwardly. These ears 53 are disposed on the A relatively light spring 51 surrounds the pivot pin 49, one end of the spring 51 engaging the underside of the web 35 of the housing 36 and the other end of the spring engaging in a notch 58 in the front edge of the latch member plate 45. This spring 51 urges the latch bolt roller 55` toward latched position, limited by the rear edges of the plates 44. contacting with an end of the web 35 of the housing 36. The latch bolt, therefore, is capable of pivoted movement against the action of spring 41 when in unlatched position and in travelling over the face I8 of the keeper :14, when the door is being swung to closed posion. i

A latch member actuator or toggle mechanism is provided and has -a lever or link 6l preferably of channel-shape comprising spaced, opposite sidesl 6I, 6I, and a connecting web 62. The lever sides 6| are pivotany mounted on the latch inember pivot pin 49 and are positioned between the sides 44, 45 of the latch member.- The forward end of the lever 60 extends slightly beyond the projection 59 of the plate 44 and has the web portion 62 projecting outwardly to form a lug 63 arranged to engage the keeper I4 and trip or move the lever 60 overcenter. The rear ends of the toggle lever sides 6I are connected together by a pivot pin 65 to which a second link or lever 66 of the latch actuator or toggle is pivotally connected. The toggle lever 66 is provided with an elongated slot 61 and a pin 68, carried by the sides 31, 38 of housing 36. The pin 68 extends through the slot 61 in the toggle lever 66 and moves longitudinally of the slot when moving overcenter. A relatively heavy coiled spring 69 surrounds the lever 66, one end of the spring 68 bearing against the pin 68 and the other end of the spring being disposed between the ends of the lever 60 against the pivot pin 65 thereof. I'he web 62 of the actuator lever 69 is bent outwardly and obliquely withfrespect to the sides 6I and main portion of the web, forming an arm 10. The latch actuator lever arm 10 is depressed lengthwise on one side thereof providing a rib 1I on the opposite side of the arm, this rib 1I being adapted to engage in the recess 41 of the web 46 of the latch bolt when projecting the latch bolt into latched position so as to decrease contact noise ofthe parts. f

The inner panel 21 of the door is provided with an opening adjacent an edge thereof through which the keeper I4 passes as the door is moved to closed position, so that the keeper may be received between the walls 29 and 30 of the reinforcing member 28 to effect the operation of the toggle mechanism 60, 66 and in turn cause the latch bolt roller 55 to be brought into engagement with the cam 'face 2l of the keeper I4.

Assuming that the door 22 is being swung to closed position, the latch member roller 55 will the latch which further decreases contact noise between the parts. Upon the lug 63 contacting the shoulder I1. and the roller 55 of the latch bolt having passed beyond the face I8 of the'keeper. the lever 60 will be tripped, causing the toggle mechanism 60. 66 to swing past dead center, thereby breaking the toggle. The arm 10 of the lever 60 which has been in engagement with the stops 43, which limits movement of the toggle in one direction, will be sung toward the latch bolt and engage the web 46 thereof and project or snap the roller 55 ofthe latch bolt into engagement with the cam f ace 2| of the keeper I4, by the compression force of the 'relatively strong'v spring 69. The toggle spring 69 'acting through the 'overcenter lever 60 tends constantly to urge the roller 55 ofthe latch bolt into tighter engagement with the cam face 2| of the keeper I4, because the arm 10 of theitoggle member is in engagement with'the web 46 of the latch bolt and as a result the toggle spring 69 is urging the refrigerator door against its seal 35.

In case the trip lever 60 of the toggle mechanism has been thrown past center while the door is in open position. the latch member will have been moved to projected position, and will therefore engage the keeper I4 when the door is again moved to closed position. The latch member will be pivoted clockwise by thekeeper I4 and as the arm 19 of the actuator lever 60 is in engagement with the latch member, the trip lever and toggle mechanism will be reset by the latch member. As the latch rides over the keeper striker surface For the purpose of releasing the latch bolt from the keeper and to open the door of the cabinet, a handle 15 is provided which extends transversely of the door 22, the handle beingpivoted at one end thereof by a stud 16 passing through an enlarged opening 11 in the door. The stud 16 is provided with a transverse opening 18 through which a spring clip 19 passes, the ends of the clip engaging the inner wall of the door 22 for attaching the handle to the door. The opening 18 in the stud 16 is of sufllcient size to allow the stud to have a free movement with respect to the pin when the handle is operated. A suitable covering 80 is applied to the inner wall of the door for covering the stud 16 and stud receiving opening 11 to provide a tight joint. The opposite end of the handle 15 is provided with a tapered stem 82 which extends through an opening 83 in the wall of the door 22 adjacent the latch edge thereof. A tapering sleeve 84 extends through the door casing opening 83 and surrounds a portion of the stem 82, the outer edge of the sleeve being secured to the outer Wall of the door 22. A flexible covering or bellows 85 surrounds the inner end portion of the stem 82, one end of the bellows 85 being attached to the sleeve 84 for forming an air tight joint. Projecting from the end of the stem 82 is a'bolt 86, which is preferably embedded in the stem. Mounted on the latch bolt 86 is a right angular bracket 81, which is held against the end of the stem by a nut 88. The angular portion of the bracket 81 is provided with an elongated slot 89.

Mounted on the reinforcing member 28, are two angular brackets 9|, 9| which may be secured by welding to the top member 29 thereof, above the latch mechanism carried by the reinforcing member 28. Journalled in the brackets 9| is a shaft 92, to one end of which is secured a lever arm 94. The lower end of the lever arm 94 projects through a notch 96 formed in top member 29 and extends within the reinforcing member 28 a sutilcient distance to permit it to engage with the arcshaped flange of the latch bolt 44, 45 when the latch bolt is to be` thrown to unlatched position. The upper portion of the lever arm 94 is provided with a bend or curved portion 98 to allow the upper end of the lever arm 94 to project through the slot 89 of the handle bracket 81.

When the cabinet door 22 is in closed position, the latch bolt 44, 45 is in engagement with the keeper |4. To open the door, the handle is pulled outwardly which pivots the lever arm 94 on the shaft 92, the lower end of the lever 94 engaging the ange 5| of the latch bolt 44, 45 and pivoting the latch bolt away from or out of latching relationship with the keeper |4. This movement imparted to the latch bolt 44, 45 will cause thel toggle mechanism to return to its inactive overcenter position, and thereby reestablish the latch mechanism at its position to function as a trip in latching the door when the door is again swung to closed position.

A coiled spring |00 encircles the shaft 92, one end of which is hooked about the lever arm 94, as at |8|, and the other end |02 of the spring engages one of the brackets 9|. The spring |08 therefore is placed under tension when the lever arm 94 is operated by the handle 15, and upon releasing the handle 15, the spring |08 will return the lever arm 94 and handle 15 to their normal position.

From the foregoing description, it will be noted that I have provided an improved refrigerator door latch mechanism in 'which the latch member is held positively in latch position by an overcenter actuator which in conjunction with a cam surface keeper acts to urge the door further toward closed position to insure a tight seal with the cabinet proper. Also, it will be noted that I have arranged the latch and its actuator so that on swinging the door closed these parts move toward each other almost into contact before the actuator snaps overcenter thereby avoiding a loud hammer noise of the actuator striking the latch. In addition, the above mentioned arrangement of the latch mechanism parts makes it easy to close the refrigerator door and insures that once the overcenteractuator is initiated into operation, the door will be latched and tightly held closed thereby.

Although only a preferred form of the invention has been illustrated, and that form described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a door latch mechanism having a keeper, a support, a movable latch member supported by said support and movable into and out of latching relationship with the keeper, a spring operable to move said latch member toward latched position, a movable latch actuator member supported on said support separate from said latch member, said actuator member having active and inactive positions and being operable in active position to hold said latch member in latched position, said latch member being movable toward said latch actuator member to establish contact therewith prior to movement of said actuator member toward active position, and a trip member on and operable to release said actuator member and adapted to engage and be actuated by the keeper upon closing the door.

2. In a door latch mechanism having a keeper, a latch member movable to a latched position with the keeper and movable to an unlatched position, a. movable latch member actuator separate from and operable to move said latch member to latched position, said latch member being arranged to move toward engagement with said actuator on closing the door, and spring means urging said latch member away from said latch member actuator, said latch member actuator being adapted to engage said keeper on closing the door and being movable by said keeper to move said latch member actuator and latch member toward latching position.

3. In a door latch mechanism having a keeper, a latch member movable to a latched position with the keeper and movable to an unlatched position, a movable latch member actuator separate from and operable to move said latch member to latched position, said latch member being movable toward engagement with said actuator on closing the door, spring means urging said latch member away from said latch member actuator, a contact pad carried by said latch member, and a contact pad carried by said actuator to engage said first pad, said latch member actuator being adapted to engage said keeperon closing the door and being movable by said keeper to move said latch member toward latching position.

4. In a door latch mechanism having a keeper, a support, a latch member pivoted on said support having latched and unlatched positions with respect to the keeper, a toggle thrust lever pivoted on the same fulcrum as said latch member, a trip arm on one end of said thrust lever, a contact arm on the other end of said thrust lever, a contact pad carried by the free end of said pivoted latch member engageable by said contact arm to thrust said latch member to latched position, and a spring acting to pivot said latch member toward latched position independently of said thrust lever, said latch member being adapted to engage and be pivoted by the keeper toward unlatched position Vto engage said contact pad with said contact arm on closing of the door and said trip arm on closing of thedoor being adapted to engage said keeper and release said toggle thrust 8 member to pivot said latch member to latching position.

RALPH W. DOEG.

klammern:Esv CITED The following references are of record in the 111e of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Date Number Name 1,880,585 Tibbetts Oct. 4, 1932 1,937,778 North et al. Dec. 5, 1933 2,156,513 Roedding May 2, 1939 2,181,493 Nave Nov. 28, 1939 2,249,644 Anderson July 15, 1941 2,342,250 Burke Feb. 22, 1944 

